MMT Quick Review of FUN HOME on Broadway Philadelphia June 13-18

Last night was my first time seeing Fun Home, the 2015 winner of five Tony Awards – including its historic win for Best Musical, the first ever for a show written exclusively by women (Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori).

Based on a graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, the story follows protagonist Alison (Kate Shindle) through a reflective journey of her life – from childhood (Carly Gold) through young adulthood (Abby Corrigan) – as the mysteries that lied within begin to unravel and expose truths about those closest to her – her mother Helen (Susan Moniz) and particularly her father Bruce (Robert Petkoff).

At its core, it’s the story of a woman who comes to terms and accepts complicated circumstances by learning to view them through a different lens.

I didn’t know what to expect, and hadn’t read much about the production prior to watching, but to say that I related to this play on an unexpected level is an understatement. The musical is raw and honest, displaying a universal truth of how adults better understand parents, good or bad, with maturation and acceptance. And I for one certainly reflected on how this truth pertained to my life by the final curtain.

And the play juggles candid and difficult content with refreshing humor – a favorite of mine was the scene with the child actors performing a commercial for their father’s funeral home!

In short, this is a play well worth seeing if you have the opportunity – just be prepared with facial tissue, if you’re a thinker and empath like myself, because you may accidentally get something in your eyes. 🙂

“Fun Home” is playing now through June 18 on Broadway Philadelphia at the Forrest Theatre. Tickets and information available at kimmelcenter.org.